You asked about my visit with Larry Givens.  It was 1972, and I was a raw
youth of 23 -- a raw piano technician with one year's experience.  I was
traveling with friends who knew Larry and we planned our route to be able
to stop at his Pennsylvania farmhouse.

We spent about an hour there, and Larry gave us a tour of his gigantic
barn filled with players, orchestrions, and other MMIs.  There must have
been about 50 instruments there.  Larry was a gracious host.  He showed
us around the barn, giving interesting details and stories about some of
the instruments, and played rolls on some of his favorites.  I had always
been fascinated by player pianos, but had  never before seen or heard an
orchestrion, and I was dazzled by them.  It was a brief visit, but I have
often recalled it with pleasure.

The latest catalog of the Player Piano Company (94-95) lists a new book
written by Larry Givens, a biography of Adam Carroll, who was a piano
roll arranger.  So I suppose Larry Givens is still active in the field.
Does anyone know if he still has his collection, and does he ever show up
on the Internet?

Larry Lobel

 [ Thanks, Larry.  Can someone tell us about Givens' new book and his
 [ activities?  -- Robbie